Startups & Funding
Zipline secures $600M funding for U.S. expansion
Zipline raised $600 million at a $7.6 billion valuation to expand its autonomous drone delivery operations to at least four U.S. states in 2026.
U.S. drone delivery startup Zipline announced on Wednesday that it has secured $600 million in fresh investment to expand its autonomous logistics operations. Autonomous logistics—defined as the industry of using autonomous systems for delivery—has seen maturing demand as companies seek faster and cheaper distribution methods. The new funding round values Zipline at $7.6 billion.
The investment round saw participation from several existing and new investors, including:
- Fidelity Management & Research Company
- Baillie Gifford
- Valor Equity Partners
- Tiger Global
Zipline plans to use the capital to expand its operations to at least four U.S. states in 2026. This expansion will begin in Houston and Phoenix, where the company will set up operations early this year.
Founded in 2014, Zipline began its commercial operations in 2016. Today, the company serves five African countries, Japan, and several cities in the United States. In 2024, Zipline completed 1 million drone deliveries, and it has now surpassed 2 million deliveries in total. This growth is supported by its U.S. operations, where deliveries have grown by about 15% week-over-week for the last seven months.
The company utilizes two distinct aircraft platforms for its services. Its Platform 1 drones are used for long-range deliveries, covering 120 miles round trip. For home deliveries, Zipline deploys its Platform 2 drones, which are designed to carry up to eight pounds and serve customers within a 10-mile radius. The Platform 2 system operates in Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in partnership with Walmart, with plans to also launch in Seattle.
Co-founder and CEO Keller Cliffton framed the expansion as a maturation of the sector, stating that demand grows exponentially when deliveries become faster, cleaner, safer, and cheaper. Cliffton noted: “In 2026 autonomous logistics will become an everyday staple for people across several states in the U.S. That transformation starts with Houston and my home town of Phoenix, which we’ll begin serving early this year, and then expand to even more places across the country throughout the year.”
As Zipline scales, it faces competition in the drone delivery space from other players, including Flytrex, DroneUp, Amazon Prime Air, and Wing. Wing, which also partners with Walmart, has announced plans to expand to another 150 Walmart stores through 2027.
Why it matters
The $600 million funding round, which values Zipline at $7.6 billion, will support the company’s expansion into at least four U.S. states in 2026, including new operations in Houston and Phoenix. This capital injection highlights the growing commercial viability and scaling of drone-based logistics in major metropolitan areas.